M.J. Smith, G. Salvendy (Eds.): Human Interface, Part I, HCII 2011, LNCS 6771, pp. 30–39, 2011. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011 User Interface and Information Management of Scenarios Robert Louden, Matt Fontaine, Glenn A. Martin, Jason Daly, and Sae Schatz Institute for Simulation & Training, 3100 Technology Parkway, OrlandoFL 32826 {rlouden,mfontain,martin,jdaly,sschatz}@ist.ucf.edu Abstract. Scenario-based training has shown to be an effective instructional ap- proach. However, it can be difficult for instructors to create scenarios as they are time-consuming to develop. This can result in the same scenarios being re-used, reducing training effectiveness. Furthermore, scenarios are based on training ob- jectives and can vary in complexity. Researchers have investigated methods to simplify this process by assessing various approaches to scenario generation. Within such a tool, however, there needs to be a way to easily understand the dif- ferent scenario components and their relationships within the scenario. This paper discusses the PYTHAGORAS (Procedural Yielding Techniques and Heu- ristics for Automated Generation of Objects with Related and Analogous Scenar- ios) system and specifically its editor used to create scenarios. We designed this system to simplify the process of scenario generation, providing a clearer under- standing of the scenario components and relationships. Keywords: Scenario Generation, Scenario Editor, Scenario Components. 1 Introduction There are many aspects that make up any one training scenario. These can include environmental parameters, actions needing to take place, objectives to be accom- plished, and many other factors based on the specific training. These components are indeed essential to create a variety of training exercises, which is important in providing improved training effectiveness. However, scenario generation is quite costly, which currently results in very small, haphazard scenario libraries and, there- fore, reduced training [1]. There is a need for a faster and more efficient way to create scenarios that are qualitatively similar (i.e. fulfills the training objectives) yet appear to the trainees as different. However, the instructor must also be able to easily con- struct and understand the scenario being developed. We designed the PYTHAGORAS system to meet these expressed needs. This sys- tem uses a scenario component approach to create custom scenarios and contains a scenario editor in order to do so. Using the visual representation of a mind-map (a diagram used to represent information branching from a central idea), the system provides improved comprehension of the scenario, its components, and their relation- ships to each other. The scenario editor also provides an intuitive interface for manipulating the different components.